EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 11: Eric Decker #87 of the New York Jets reacts after his first down reception against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2016 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New York Jets 23-22. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

“It has been my childhood dream and my passion to play the game of football,” the veteran wideout wrote. “I was very fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to have those dreams fulfilled and to have played with such extremely talented and hard-working teammates, coaches and staff.”

Decker sat out the first half of New England’s preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers on Friday.

Now that he is leaving, the Patriots are in desperate need of more receivers.Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four weeks of this season due to performance-enhancing drug use, which means Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan and Cordarrelle Patterson will likely be used in the team’s regular season opener. Riley McCarron, Devin Lucien, Braxton Berrios, Matthew Slater and Paul Turner are the other wideouts New England could give playing time to this year.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick said over the weekend he believes Decker has learned everything he needs to know thanks to his previous experience working with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels back when the wideout played with the Denver Broncos. Belichick added that Decker had practiced playing several different offensive positions during his brief time with New England.